Perspectives on challenges to bioenergy use in the EU

Abstract

AbstractDespite bioenergy playing an important role in producing a significant amount of renewable energy in the EU, there are several differing views of its future role, as illustrated in the European Parliament and society more generally. The aim of this paper is to investigate the barriers to advancing bioenergy use and prospects for the future of bioenergy in the EU. Whereas previous studies have focused on specific aspects of EU bioenergy, such as market structure, technological considerations, and individual forms of bioenergy, this study provides results from a survey analyzing several factors that are inhibiting overall bioenergy development throughout the EU. The results show that, in general, the growth of bioenergy use in the EU can be expected to continue, although there are many issues that need to be addressed by society and through policy implementation. The most important of these issues include the relationship between the future role of the fossil fuel using industry and bioenergy, addressing the inadequate and currently confusing level of policy support, and responding to the perception of low public acceptance, reflected by pressure from some nongovernmental organizations to reduce the use of bioenergy. The study shows that biomass is not always the best option in economic terms, and other options such as heat pumps powered by green electricity or natural gas can be more financially attractive. To ensure the continuing development of the bioenergy field in the EU, it is important to increase local policy support for bioenergy, decrease imports of fossil fuels from non‐EU countries, increase investment in the bioenergy sector, and engage in effective and fact‐based education about, and promotion of, bioenergy.